After her step sister ran away from her marriage to the billion-dollar heir, they took Emerald Jane Campbell as a stand-in to fill the void her stepsister left. Forced by her greedy mother, Emerald can't do anything but to follow. She was tied to the disabled billion-dollar heir for three years and all she got was cold treatment from him. Years later, a kidnapper appeared in their lives. The kidnapper threatens the life of Emerald until Jude Rafael Sanders— the billion-dollar decides to do what it takes to protect his wife, Emerald. Secrets began to unravel one by one. But what if Jude finds out his beloved wife was conspiring to the kidnappers? Find out how tension intensifies in their roller coaster marriage.
View MoreEmerald's Point of View
The small wound I got while preparing the basket for my husband was nothing compared to the pain that struck in my heart. I walked towards his hospital room, and as expected, a couple of his men were scattered around and guarding his door.
One of his security personnel looked at me from head to toe. “You're not a nurse or a doctor. Visitors are not allowed.”
I bit my lower lip. I am not just a simple visitor but Jude's husband! Those are the lines I wanted to slap on them, but I couldn't. Our marriage is confidential; it should be kept a secret; otherwise, I'll be doomed if someone finds out!
“I am representing Campbell Daily and an employee under Campbells. They asked me to personally deliver this fruit basket for him. How can I not fulfill the task assigned to me by my bosses? Will you cover up for me instead if my boss vents out their anger?” I responded sternly. The guard I was speaking to slowly glanced to his right side.
One of them nodded his head and opened the door for me.
A dead silence crept inside the room. Jude was sitting on the bed, facing the other side of the room, buttoning up his white long sleeves. He picked up the coat that was hanging beside him, spun around, and faced me.
His cold, stoic face narrowed on my location. I nibbled my lower lip as I gripped my coat tightly.
“What are you doing here?” A cold, raspy voice filled the entire hospital room.
Unhurriedly, Jude's eyes fell down on my hand. Jude noticed the freshly cut, bandaged fingers on my hand. Feeling nervous, I hid my hand behind my back.
I directed my gaze toward the cut on his face. It's fresh and red. A day hasn't passed, and yet he's ready to go out. He's not listening to the doctor again!
"The doctor advised you to take at least two weeks off to rest, so-" I wasn't able to continue because he interrupted.
“Leave.”
I didn't listen to what Jude was whining about. Instead, I placed the fruit basket on the side table and engaged in conversation.
“How can I just leave you here? I may have ulterior motives for coming here, but I am still your wife, Jude.”
Jude stood up, holding on to the hospital bed as soon as he had enough strength to sit on his wheelchair. I held his hand, helping him to settle himself, but he simply brushed off my hands in a harsh manner.
For the second time around, I was hurt. He never accepted any help from me.
He scoffed. “Oh, God. We're only married on paper, Emerald. Quit acting like you're my real wife. For years, you've been trying like one!”
Jude may harbor animosity toward me for up to three years. He doesn't need to say yes to my parents in order to tie the knot and maintain the connection with our family; rather, he said yes.
With a heavy heart, I took out a brown envelope and put it on his side. His eyes lingered on it, and as soon as he saw what was inside, a small, cunning smirk crept onto his lips. The writing on it amused him.
“Let's get this done. I prepared our divorce papers, and all you need to do is sign. Three years in misery is enough!” I spat out with mixed emotions visible in my eyes.
My eyes widened when Jude tore all the papers apart and threw them away. I stumbled upon him, lost for words. All my emotions turn into disgust, anger, and sorrow.
I only want him to release me, give us freedom from this catastrophe that our parents tied us into. I don't want this marriage; neither does he, but he kept resisting!
“Bullshit. That's a sign of stupidity, Emerald. A pure crap.” He uttered it in a stoic manner.
“I am tired, Jude! I am sick of this loveless marriage between us! I am tired of being a stand-in, a puppet to everyone, and being your substitute wife!” I burst out my lungs. I didn't mind if someone might hear us outside.
Tears streamed down my face, yet he remained nonchalant and cold. He showed no sign of empathy toward me, but his arrogance was evident.
“Lower your voice, or someone might hear you. Dare to speak again, and I'll make sure to screw your life over this time,” he warned.
Jude maneuvered his wheelchair toward me while maintaining a safe distance of several meters.
“Emerald, you bear too much blame to consider your request. Do you think I'll grant you a divorce? No! Not only did you ruin my life, but your negligence and arrogant actions also earned me a lot of criticism!
I took all the blame when my sister ran away. Unforeseen circumstances prevented Phoebe from marrying Jude before the wedding. Many people eagerly anticipate their upcoming wedding, even branding it as the wedding of the year.
A day before the wedding, I decided to escape as well. I don't want to marry Jude in place of Phoebe, who vanished into thin air. However, Jude went after me and subsequently suffered an accident. He woke up bearing the heartbreaking news that he wasn't able to walk and was completely paralyzed.
Jude harbored a deep hatred toward me, and I took full responsibility for the events that transpired. I thought he would call the marriage off but rather proceed on marrying me. My mom wouldn't let me get off the hook easily knowing I am marrying a son of a future president of the country. Her greed for money and power is incomparable. I can't call her a mother, but I also can't hate her.
My mom loves power. It's the most important thing to her. She married Phoebe's father out of her thirst and greed for it. She even supported the idea of throwing me in a tiger's den in order to become the daughter-in-law of the future president of our country. How cruel, isn't she?
“We've been married for three years, and yet you still don't know me. I won't sign the divorce papers, Emerald. I took you as a stand-in and as a hostage. You will live with me for the rest of your life. I want you to experience hell in my hands!”
Indeed, I triggered his anger. The root of his anger kept lingering in his mind. There's no way I can erase it in his memory no matter what I do.
But I am so tired... I'm tired of being around him. I've endured enough hardships, but they pale in comparison to his. Well, maybe my mom was right; life might have been wonderful if I had been the one who died that day and not my brother. My sister might have lived a life she wanted if I had become deaf and not her, and our parents wouldn't have reached for Sanders’ help if the accident did not happen.
Everything occurred because of me.
“Jude, I—”
Suddenly, a group of men rushed into his room. They opened the door and pushed me away from Jude, acting as if I were a predator who was trying to harm him.
“Take this woman away!” The head of his security team affirmed.
Several tears streamed down my face as I gazed at him, pleading with my eyes, but he showed no emotion when his men dragged me out of his room.
Unfair... But I think I deserve the hell I live in right now. I will die caged in this loveless marriage my parents put me through. Maybe this is the fate written for me, but I won't just sit back and do nothing.
Going back, Emerald is now at the office reviewing and polishing the script she will be delivering on national television. However, a few people went on her, seated across the chair, feeling giddy. “Emerald!” Said by her friends at work. Celine and Dion are her best colleagues, the people she's always with most of the time. “You're keeping a secret to us!” Celine affirmed. Her attention remained on the script. “What secret? I'm busy right now.” “Huh! It's no longer a secret because it has been broadcast nationwide,” Dion butted in. “Look. There's an article between you and Carlos. You know he's my crush! Ouch, did my best friend just have the eye of the love of my life?” She overly reacted, faking tears in her eyes whilst her iPad was shown to her. Emerald immediately grabbed the iPad and saw the headline. It was about her and Carlos at the volunteering project. Pictures of them were scattered online under the tree whilst Carlos is looking at her. For some people, they would think
Same group, same campaign, same people. Everyone stood in front of Sanders Company, awaiting for Juan Sanders’ arrival. His formal campaign continued as usual regardless of what happened. The cunning man turned the disaster into getting public sympathy and his presidential candidate percentage soared high because of it. “Everyone, gathered around!” Said by the campaign manager Ruth, a loyal follower of Juan Sanders and a volunteer, and part of the foundation established under the Sanders.Emerald took a step forward. She volunteered for a special project they will be doing for abandoned old aged people at a home care. As her heart is close to those broken people, Emerald didn't think twice but to participate. “We will explain everything first before we head to the home for the aged.” Ruth asserted. Volunteering isn't new to her. It has always been deeply rooted inside her heart as if she was made for it, honoring every person and loving humanity with all her heart. She's been part
Campbell family went to Sanders manor to physically check how the running for presidential candidate is doing. Thank God, he's doing alright, otherwise, Aileen would fumble without getting what she wanted. “We're so glad to see you well.” Aileen expressed her deepest concern towards Juan Sanders. Her husband, James Campbell, noticed that Juan Sanders isn't in a good condition. He was awry, perhaps because of the people who are making fun of him online. Emerald was sitting silently beside Jude silently, observing everyone with a heavy guilt inside her heart. Aileen drifted her gaze at her daughter. “Didn't I tell you to look out for your father in law? It is your job to make sure he's safe! I already clarified it to you a million times!” Aileen affirmed, looking for someone to blame. She nibbled her lower lip whilst she secretly clenched her fist. “It's out of my control, mom.” “That's enough,” James Campbell said. “It's no one's fault here. If there is someone to question, it's
Third Person's Point of View A stockpile of papers greeted Jude as soon as he came back from his office. He stressfully massaged his forehead and closed his eyes a bit after signing and reviewing paper works handed to him by his secretary. He paused for a while. He's been doing a lot of work lately and his mental state has become unstable. Not to mention that he's the president of their company now that his father decided to run for presidency this year. He thought he's just a man with ambition, but Jude's father proved him wrong. Who would've thought about him getting the highest rating for the presidential election through surveys and polls? As Jude was enjoying his free time alone, the door creaked open and his secretary, Antonette, came rushing inside. “I think you need to see this sir!” Antonette affirmed as soon as she opened the television. Countless news about the explosion at the campaign site came up. The first thing that came to his mind was Emerald. He immediately sto
Third Person's Point of View Various people are scattered around the streets with banners on their hands along with the volunteers disseminating magazines and newspapers that have a person’s name in it. The official start of Juan Rivera Sanders' campaign began today. As expected, a lot of people volunteered for his sake. His image is outstanding, and a lot of people are admiring him. As a renowned businessman turned into a politician, he captured the hearts and minds of the people of the country. He served as the chairman of Sanders Company, built it through his blood, sweat, and tears. Later on, he passed his duty to his one and only living son. Juan Rivera Sanders is a well-known public figure. Back when he wasn't in politics yet, he has proven a lot in business, economy, and now, he's establishing his career in politics. As expected, a lot of people are expecting from him as the future president of the country. He is hailed as the epitome of perfection—a reason why he's blinded
Third Person's Point of View There was a strange feeling inside Emerald. It's her gut feeling that's stopping her from answering the phone. Nevertheless, she took the right thing and moved the phone into her ears. A heavy sigh came out, her hands trembling as she stride towards her vast sliding window. “You nearly killed me!” She bursted out in anger. Emerald couldn't contain the perplexity eroding inside her. Of course, what happened earlier still makes her think that everything that happened was just a dream! She combed her hair using her fingers, she sat down on her bed and moved the phone from her right hand to the left. Stressed—that’s what she felt the moment it came to her senses that it was her kidnapper's fault. Perhaps the liquor intake weighs impact but that doesn't mean what happened last time would slip in her mind. It almost cost her life, and she doesn't want to proceed with it anymore! The kidnapper chuckled. “Calm down, you're still alive. I made sure not to cro
Welcome to GoodNovel world of fiction. If you like this novel, or you are an idealist hoping to explore a perfect world, and also want to become an original novel author online to increase income, you can join our family to read or create various types of books, such as romance novel, epic reading, werewolf novel, fantasy novel, history novel and so on. If you are a reader, high quality novels can be selected here. If you are an author, you can obtain more inspiration from others to create more brilliant works, what's more, your works on our platform will catch more attention and win more admiration from readers.
Comments